Port Adelaide veteran Tom Rockliff has announce his retirement from the game, calling time on a 208-game career.
Rockliff first debuted in the league with the Brisbane Lions, going on to play 154 games for the Queensland club before moving to the Power ahead of the 2018 season.
The 31-year-old has gone on to play 54 games across his four seasons at Port Adelaide, with injuries playing their part in his decision to hang up the boots.
A former captain and two-time best and fairest at the Lions, Rockliff ends a stellar career across both clubs.
Rockliff has contracted blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis following an injury earlier this season that saw him suffer injuries to both knees and require a wheelchair.
Speaking on his decision, Rockliff said the recent setbacks played their part in the timing to end his career.
“I spoke with the specialist and the clot is still there. They can’t guarantee it’ll go away and if you get hit where that clot is, it can transport up to your lungs, so the risk factor was too high and it’s not really worth risking your life over,” he said in a club statement.
“It is the best thing in the end for me to call time on my career. The people I have spoken to have celebrated with me but there have been a few tears shed. It’s been emotional but also the right thing to do.
“I think I’m one of the lucky ones. I played AFL footy for 200+ games, I was fortunate enough to captain a club, be in a leadership group at a couple of clubs and meet some incredible people. It hasn’t all been smooth or gone to plan, but to represent the Brisbane Lions and Port Adelaide Football Clubs – two amazing clubs in their own right with two very different histories - I feel really honoured and blessed to have been given the opportunity.
“Overall, it’s been good for me to be able to thank all of those people who have been there on my football journey with me and supported me. Obviously, my family have been there the whole time – Mum and Dad and my Pa, my brother James and sister Kaitlyn, and obviously my partner Sharna and son Jack.
“Sharna and I have another son on the way and I can’t wait to see what comes next for us as a family.”
The ball-magnet was also selected into the All-Australian side in 2014, a campaign that was seen as a career-best for the Benalla product.
Rockliff averaged a stunning 32.72 disposals, nine tackles and 6.39 clearances per game that year and would be handed the Lions' captaincy the following season.
According to AFL.com.au, Rockliff will continue at Port Adelaide for the remainder of the 2021 season in a coaching role.
